Martyn The "wadding" was asbestos but is now some legal but not very good substitute. Look at SEM (and if you don't take it - you should) wherein you will find several gasket makers. I have no personal experience of using them. The solid copper gasket mentioned by Kim is just that - hacked out of copper sheet about the same thickness as a copper-asbestos sandwich gasket. They need to be annealed before each use. I've used them successfully for air-cooled engines but have doubts you could get a seal over the larger area of the W1 without having both head and block skimmed. (A new gasket will be cheaper) Other's views may differ. The old gaskets can generally be reused so long as not damaged by chisels etc. during dismantling ;-) A thorough clean with wire wool and a short soak in hot water usually brings them back (provided they have not been bent - old asbestos goes hard and brittle, hence the soak). It is my habit to give both faces a light coat of grease as I was taught by an old time mechanic. Again other's views will be different. You are moving from "parts available" to get it made or make it yourself. This is the slippery, but well-trod, path to a shed full of machinery :-) regards Roland
what about the wadding between the two copper sheets, or just use one single sheet and leave the wadding out, or alternately anyone know where i could get say 10 of these made without a paying much (Ie £60), the other W head gasket is currently in an engine so i dont even have a template to copy, although im sure it wont mind having its head took off so i can make a copy onto cardboard and return it immedately after, :):).
Dose anyone want one if i get some made? or is it just me?
thanks for all your help chaps, Martyn